Nikola Jokic’s triple-double pushed Denver to 3-0 against Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

After winning the first two games of the series at home, the Denver Nuggets are now up 3-0 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with just one victory away from advancing to the Second Round. Last night, they won 120-111, mainly thanks to Nikola Jokic.

The Serbian superstar had yet again a triple-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, shooting 9/13 from the field. On the other side, Rudy Gobert registered a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds with 7/10 from the field, but it wasn’t enough.

“We didn’t want to give them life. We wanted to be the aggressor. We wanted to punch them first”, Nikola Jokic said in the post-game press conference following the third straight win. “The offense looks a little different when Joke isn’t out there, but we’ve been making it work. We’ve just got a lot of dudes who can do many different things”, Michael Porter Jr., who had 25 points, added.

Following last night’s results in the Western Conference, two teams are currently up 2-1. The Boston Celtics couldn’t keep up the winning trajectory, as the Atlanta Hawks took Game 3 by winning 130-122 in their first home game.

Bogdan Bogdanovic came off the bench to provide 15 points with 3/4 from beyond the arc, while Clint Capela had a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds, helping his team which was dragged by Trae Young’s 36-point performance. Boston had a double-double of 29 points and 10 rebounds by the hands of Jayson Tatum, with him spending all 40 minutes on the court.

Finally, the New York Knicks won at the Madison Square Garden 99-79 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, taking Game 3 of their best-of-seven series. Isaiah Hartenstein had 7 points and 5 rebounds off the bench to help the new yorkers.

NBA games of the night and European performances:

Atlanta Hawks – Boston Celtics 130-122 (Bogdan Bogdanovic 15 p; Capela 10 p, 11 r)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 99-79 (Hartenstein 7 p, 5 r)
Minnesota Timberwolves – Denver Nuggets 111-120 (Jokic 20 p, 11 r, 12 a; Gobert 18 p, 10 r)

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

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